Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-12-21
OROvILLE AND LOS ANGELEs-PLAIN
FACTS.

have honestly doubted the capacity of
Central and Northern California to raise
citrus fruits for market, desire proof of their
error, it is now at hand. Not a few of
them, we regret to say, have induStriously
given circulation to the story that our
claims in this respect are imaginary. 1t is
true, they say, oranges and lemons may
be grown there, but not with such success
as to make the industry commercially OF
value. The section is too cold and the
fruits do not properly ripen." This has
been accepted as true statement by the
majority of the people at the East, and the
proof Of this is found in conversation with
nearly every tourist who comes this way.
That the false idea has been industriously
promulgated, and by those who know it to
be untrue, is therefore undeniable, though
it is probable that it is somewhat due to
the natural association of cold with the
word northern" Now what are the
facts with which we are able to confront
this error? Meteorologically we are able
to establish by official records that the
Sacramento valley foothill region has trop-
ical warmth and a higher general temper
AZURE than the southern citrus belt That
within three years we have held three cit
rus fairs in midwinter, and shown Ivy ocu-
lar demonstration that we can and do grow,
besides all kinds of deciduous fruits, the
orange, lemon, lime, olive, date, etc. One
Of these citrus exhibits was sent last winter
to Chicago and put upon public view in
that city. During the orange season we
have shipped to the Fast the first market
able California oranges, and in the Eastern
market they have been accepted as of high
grade. We have commenced orange grove
planting For grain and deciduous fruit
growing having absorbed our attention
heretofore, the cultivation of citrus fruits
has been neglected; indeed, until a COM
paratively recent date has been with us but
an avocation, and the trees cared for only
rs objects of ornament. But the intelligent
observer realizes that the failure to avail
ourselves of climatic capacity in the past,
is not proof of lack of that capacity.
Now, however, citrus fruit cultivation
for commerce has been largely entered
upon in Central and Northern California,
and the product is regularly quoted in dis
tant markets, while we respond to about
all the demands of home consumption. At
this date two new and undeniable proofs
are presented Of the verify of our claims
At Los Angeles, Placer northern foothill
county, is the current week making a large
exhibit of oranges, lemons, olives and
other semi-tropical products. Placer county,
indeed, goes to the very heart of Southern
California with the proofs of her semi
tropic climate, and the wonderful capacity
OF her soil, in her hands. She exhibits in
Southern California ripened and ripening
citrus fruits while yet the oranges and
lemons Of the south hang upon the trees
unfit to pluck.
At the same time, five hundred miles
north of Los Angles, Butte county, still
more northern than Placer, holds a mag
nificent citrus fruit fair al Oroyille, and
that, too, practically in the open air, no
more shelter beieg provided than canvas
tent affords. This fair our Geographic re-
porters describe Is marvellous in extent and
variety, and as exceeding in its semi-tropic
exhibits any yet held in all this section
1t is proving, also, the advances we are
making in cultivation, and that horticult-
introduction of the best citrus varieties, and
the budding system, and that the object in
view is no longer growth for ornament, but
cultivation for the market and coin
1t Will not, in the face of these evil
dences be possible for those who have de-
MED our capacity and ridiculed the idea
OF a Northern citrus belt" to longer con-
tinue their assaults, and retain self-respect.
The two exhibits of to-day ought to set at
rest effectually, and for all time, the I'M
fortunate debate that has been kept alive
by misrepresentation and misconceptions
There ought to he no longer any jealously
encouraged between the sections. Such
journalistic and other influences as cult
yate it should be publicly rebulled. In
Central and Northern California there is
neither envy of the south entertained nor
misrepresentation of her capacity INDUCED
in. In fact, we of the north are quite as
proud of the capabilities and victories of
the south rs it can be of itself We have
FOX it only good will, and insist that its
triumph and progress are part and parcel
of our own. The State from San Diego to
Shasta grows the citrus fruits in her val
legs and foothills, and responds to the mar
<ets of the whole Eastern country. We
are one in purpose and ability, and who
ever from this time on indulges in detrac-
ton of any one section, deserves the pill
lory of public execration.